Can Blockchain Bring change into Africa?

[Betwrong]

Blockchain is just a database protocol, how can a database help a continent? You can't lift whole societies with some simple trick, only deep systematic changes can do the job, and those are very hard, which is why some countries stagnate for decades. And going back to blockchain, it isn't even a deep fundamental technology that can change everything, in fact it's incredibly hard to find applications for it, and all those use cases that you read about in news articles actually only exist on paper.

But isn't the main problem of most African countries is that the help they are getting from the West is used by corrupted governments for buying weapons, private jets, luxury vehicles ... anything but food and water for the people in need?  Aren't people in countries rich with cobalt, uranium, diamonds and gold starving because the money from selling those resources go to the wrong hands? Can't blockchain-powered supply chain change this situation for better?

[Vishnu.Reang]

Blockchain is just a database protocol, how can a database help a continent? You can't lift whole societies with some simple trick, only deep systematic changes can do the job, and those are very hard, which is why some countries stagnate for decades. And going back to blockchain, it isn't even a deep fundamental technology that can change everything, in fact it's incredibly hard to find applications for it, and all those use cases that you read about in news articles actually only exist on paper.

But isn't the main problem of most African countries is that the help they are getting from the West is used by corrupted governments for buying weapons, private jets, luxury vehicles ... anything but food and water for the people in need?  Aren't people in countries rich with cobalt, uranium, diamonds and gold starving because the money from selling those resources go to the wrong hands? Can't blockchain-powered supply chain change this situation for better?

African countries need to tackle the basic issues first. For example, in my opinion the most serious issue facing most of these countries is the uncontrolled growth of population. This results in increased competition for the scarce resources (as we have seen in countries such as Nigeria, where thousands have been killed in clashes between farmers and cattle herders). Only if the population growth is controlled, then other issues such as illiteracy, corruption, and crime can be taken care of.

[hatshepsut93]

But isn't the main problem of most African countries is that the help they are getting from the West is used by corrupted governments for buying weapons, private jets, luxury vehicles ... anything but food and water for the people in need? 

It's a problem, but it's not the main problem, because no amount of aid can solve poverty, poverty is just a lack of strong economy.

Aren't people in countries rich with cobalt, uranium, diamonds and gold starving because the money from selling those resources go to the wrong hands? Can't blockchain-powered supply chain change this situation for better?

That is indeed a big problem, but it can not be solved by blockchain. First, you are essentially asking people who control the resources to share their profits with population - you don't need blockchain to implement it, people were successfully doing it for thousands of years, the only missing part is willingness to do so. Next, blockchain is not a silver bullet for supply chain, it's just as malleable as any other scheme, because it inherently relies on trusted parties to maintain the ledger. The problem of corrupt countries is not that citizens can't detect corruption, but that no one is willing to punish it.

[fudster]

What some African countries need is not blockchain technology though it can to some extent regulate the level of corruption. What they need is a TRANSFORMATION of their mindset and when to know that this is right and that is wrong. Until then, they would still make any solution worthless to the development of their country.

What they need is to revolt. Remove all the ones that occupy there, it could be bloody but that will earn them respect that they should have done long time ago. A strong willed military man that wants change kinda like a Lee Kuan Yew or the Duterte who will carry out force and accountability to what he does. And not depend to any country on how he will run it. And not act like they all have the stockholm syndrome.

[darewaller]

The  nature of Africa was decentralization! Africa was unite and great until  colonial masters began to centralize  everything. Now  all the resources is control by the  western world.  Now that the world is changing and  blockchain is bring back  decentralization to the world would Africa get  their  power back?

Honestly, I think that it is in Africa is where Blockchain technology is needed the most as it will really help in gaining the countries power back fully and even most especially their citizens that has been slave to so many of their government in the area of politics, economy, finances and many other area.

The area where I even feel that blockchain technology will be more useful in the aspect of politics, with blockchain technology, there will be lots of transparency in the system of government and also there will be a free and fair election. All these middle men that is making the operations in Africa to be cost and less effective will be eliminated, but I doubt if these people who are usually at the helms of government will allow this to see the light of the day.

[teosanru]

The  nature of Africa was decentralization! Africa was unite and great until  colonial masters began to centralize  everything. Now  all the resources is control by the  western world.  Now that the world is changing and  blockchain is bring back  decentralization to the world would Africa get  their  power back?

It actually can be the ice breaker. You see what Africa is currently experiencing was faced by Indian Subcontinent around 30 years ago. India was the richest country with wide variety of natural resources and European powers not only took that away but also split the subcontinent into a ever raging war. But a gift which they passed away was English. India developed and got educated and then came the technology revolution in which countries tried to find a cheaper alternative to outsource some tedious and unproductive tasks they have to do. India encashed the opportunity and here they are today emerging as the biggest BPO, KPO Industry in the world. Now similarly world is changing its gears again and blockchain could be the next big thing. So if African countries channelize their resources into education and health then Blockchain can bring some change into Africa. Otherwise don't expect the change like world will be run using bitcoin and every African will get to share it. You have to pave your way out get a recognition on the world map.

[Colt81]

The  nature of Africa was decentralization! Africa was unite and great until  colonial masters began to centralize  everything. Now  all the resources is control by the  western world.  Now that the world is changing and  blockchain is bring back  decentralization to the world would Africa get  their  power back?

In my own personal opinion, blockchain and bitcoin could help change africa because there are a lot of people who have change their lives from investing and trading in bitcoin, so that they can provide their necessities. But people in africa needs the enough technology for them to trade and invest in cryptocurrency like computers and smartphones as well as an internet connection.

[AjithBtc]

More projects were integrated with the blockchain technology to support African people. I saw one such project for drinking water in our forum. This way blockchain is being used for good, by the same time more scammers from Africa try to make an earning out these people. This gives a negativity as well, so people need to be taught to stay away from scams and use the right thing. This will surely help Africa flourish.

[NathanJB]

The  nature of Africa was decentralization! Africa was unite and great until  colonial masters began to centralize  everything. Now  all the resources is control by the  western world.  Now that the world is changing and  blockchain is bring back  decentralization to the world would Africa get  their  power back?

Honestly, I think that it is in Africa is where Blockchain technology is needed the most as it will really help in gaining the countries power back fully and even most especially their citizens that has been slave to so many of their government in the area of politics, economy, finances and many other area.

The area where I even feel that blockchain technology will be more useful in the aspect of politics, with blockchain technology, there will be lots of transparency in the system of government and also there will be a free and fair election. All these middle men that is making the operations in Africa to be cost and less effective will be eliminated, but I doubt if these people who are usually at the helms of government will allow this to see the light of the day.

I couldn't agree more. Africa needs the blockchain technology more than others. Although other governments in other continents are also dirty in many of their transactions, the African people are suffering more than others. Many are dying out of the selfishness of a few. And to think that the continent is not lacking of natural resources. Natural resources like minerals are very abundant in the region. It is just that aside from the foreign players taking the major slice, the local governments are also conniving with them.

Blockchain technology will make all these transactions transparent and immediately available to the eyes of the public. It then boosts their responsibility to make their leaders accountable for anything. Especially finances, blockchain is of extreme significance to this.

[blckhawk]

The  nature of Africa was decentralization! Africa was unite and great until  colonial masters began to centralize  everything. Now  all the resources is control by the  western world.  Now that the world is changing and  blockchain is bring back  decentralization to the world would Africa get  their  power back?

Blockchain might help solve some crisis regarding corruption and will provide more transparent and faster transaction to other countries to further boost their economy. It is also true that the decentralized nature of this technology would help them somehow control their country and minimize the regulations imposed by the big countries to them. However, the future of Africa, given with the blockchain, will still rely from the people who utilizes them. Blockchain also provides freedom, and it depends on the user to use it for the general good or only for his own.

[asus09]

They can sell their natural resources using bitcoin or altcoin payment to change their economic, how ever every africa country have much natural resources with higher value and never selling using USD payment because price increase just little, they have sell with using bitcoin or crypto as payment to get much profit.

[senne]

Africa has a lot unbanked population and some countries because of the bad reputation can't access online payment options too. Blockchain gives such countries a chance to have an online payment system through cryptocurrency which will help in boosting the e-commerce business too. This in turn will help in boosting the economy and can help in giving many people a job too. There are a few countries in Africa which are going through hyperinflation and for that crypto gives an option of alternative investment.

[stompix]

Before Carthage fell to the hands of the Romans, Africa--most particularly the land near the Mediterranean--was booming with the rule and leadership of the general Hannibal. That's some bit of history that Africa was once great, but perhaps quite insignificant because that was almost a millennium ago.

Carthage, Carthaginians... were of Phoenician decent and originated from the eastern shore of the Mediterranean sea.
So you would have to go back not 2 Millenium but 3 or 4  in the glory days of Egypt to find some true African leadership.
But nothing is left out of that civilization and its people.

More projects were integrated with the blockchain technology to support African people. I saw one such project for drinking water in our forum. This way blockchain is being used for good, by the same time more scammers from Africa try to make an earning out these people. This gives a negativity as well, so people need to be taught to stay away from scams and use the right thing. This will surely help Africa flourish.

You see, this is what is keeping Africa's countries down.
You need a blockchain, an f word ICO do create a project for drinking water.
The Romans did that 2000 years ago, with no ICO, no blockchain, no smartphones, no electricity.

But, you put your hope in a scammy ICO who, guess what, needs the money and will reward you!!
So, you want to benefit x times by putting some money in what is supposed to be basic stuff for every human being!
And you people are all blaming the vile government......lol...hypocrisy at its finest.
 

[TGD]

If the government will use blockchain a way to improve their finances and living then it will help them to make their countries budget allocation fair for different projects and resources needed. It will ensure that the budget will be given it that project wallet since blockchain's transparency and efficiency are helping to reduce fraud and automate compliance. Though, the change will only be visible if the government will implements it a right process and allows their people to use it too for their improvements.

[NavI_027]

Now that the world is changing and  blockchain is bring back  decentralization to the world would Africa get  their  power back?

I don't know exactly what you mean about power, but if you pertain is the power of African civilization back on those historical days then I'm getting a little bit skeptical about it. I mean, the current situation of Africa is not a joke. Famine and poverty is widely spreading, lack of education was there and topographical feature of the continent serves a barrier somehow; and for me this is very hard to addressed even with use of blockchain technology. Such innovation can contribute on modernizing their lifestyle (I heard that Electroneum is widely used there, that's good news) but not totally the main solution for the major problems of their country. 

[jake zyrus]

Adopting blockchain technology in Africa is a great way for development and innovation since we all know that they're lacking when it comes to this. Yet, this technological advancement wouldn't bring back decentralization in the country. Why? Because it's just merely a technology and westerners wouldn't allow decentralization back in Africa since they're benefitting from their resources. It's not that easy for them to get back decentralization since westerns are already controlling them.

Blockchain can bring decentralization at some point just like cryptoccurency but not at all aspect.

[Williams_Leo]

The  nature of Africa was decentralization! Africa was unite and great until  colonial masters began to centralize  everything. Now  all the resources is control by the  western world.  Now that the world is changing and  blockchain is bring back  decentralization to the world would Africa get  their  power back?

Honestly, I think that it is in Africa is where Blockchain technology is needed the most as it will really help in gaining the countries power back fully and even most especially their citizens that has been slave to so many of their government in the area of politics, economy, finances and many other area.

The area where I even feel that blockchain technology will be more useful in the aspect of politics, with blockchain technology, there will be lots of transparency in the system of government and also there will be a free and fair election. All these middle men that is making the operations in Africa to be cost and less effective will be eliminated, but I doubt if these people who are usually at the helms of government will allow this to see the light of the day.

I'm just thinking that you overestimate this blockchain technology, the utility of blockchain is worth consulting but its power is not enough to change an area, a country, especially with an Africa region that is so limited with technology and equipment, blockchain will not be able to bring any change here. Change can only rely on the vision and insight from the government, if governments in Africa are aware of their problems, efforts will improve everything here, but unfortunately the visibility is limited and the policy is too conservative, things have only gotten worse until now

[BitHodler]

Blockchain can bring decentralization at some point just like cryptoccurency but not at all aspect.

We already have that with Bitcoin. I don't think we need much more than decentralized money. I honestly believe that decentralization has been taken out of context due to how people expect it to be a wonder pill to solve all problems.

If we put the focus on every day tasks that can be improved in terms of efficiency, we only need to have businesses use smart databases and push the cost gains to the people too.

I seriously hope that we will get the cost of service to go down, but if they don't socialize the benfits in terms of cost too, we will continue to pay up for the fees we are charged, while the businesses maximize their profits.

[vintages]

That is if Africans are truly ready to be decentralized. African had what it takes to become the world best but looking at the way they run things themselves africa greediness won't let them be.
Even the introduction of Bitcoin won't solve much problem because as Africa leaders love to make any issue a means of personal gains instead of solving it.
Hopefully, the true use of Blockchain technology can help solve Africa issue.

[Apaxy]

I am sure that, first of all, it is necessary to give an African an opportunity to get an education so that people become smarter and correctly use their full potential.  Without knowledge, not one High technology will improve life in Africa.